The Benton City Comprehensive Plan is a statement of goals and policies that outlines the community’s vision for the future. The Plan is a basic reference document that provides guidance for the development and implementation of specific ordinances and regulations affecting the physical environment of the community. The Plan also anticipates population and employment growth and how public facilities and services will be provided to accommodate that growth.

The City of Benton City is in the process of updating their comprehensive plan, per the state-required periodic update. A periodic update of the Comprehensive Plan is due no later than June 30, 2017.

Every county and city in the state is required to conduct a periodic update of its comprehensive plan and development regulations, though the obligation varies depending on whether the jurisdiction is fully or partially planning (RCW 36.70A.130(1)).

The City’s Comprehensive Plan includes goals and policies that provide guidance for public and private decision makers. The Plan Provides the basis for designating land use, infrastructure development, and for implementing community services. Amendments to the Plan are considered on an annual basis, while a periodic update is performed every decade, to ensure compliance with new laws and regulations, and to re-visit the process of consulting the public on goals, policies and long-term strategies, and make necessary adjustments based on growth patterns and demand.

Participation of the public is an essential part of the update process. The city adopted a Public Participation Plan to describe how this will be accomplished.